Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth
Common Thread Collective
2020 transformed the world of ecommerce forever.
For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain.
So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality?
No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone.
That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses.
Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.
For the modern DTC brand, the rewards have never been greater. But the waters have also never been choppier, and the way forward has never been more uncertain.
So how do you navigate this dangerous new reality?
No matter how you do it, you’d better not do it alone.
That’s where the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast comes in — join Common Thread Collective’s Taylor Holiday & Richard Gaffin as they bring you guiding insights from across CTC’s portfolio of growing DTC businesses.
Whether you need a clear view on the macro issues affecting the world of ecommerce, or want to reorient your business around groundbreaking new big-picture strategies, Taylor & Richard are here to help answer the tough questions about what it takes to scale — and sustain — an ecommerce business.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 14, 2020 • 43min
We Acquired A Brand (And We're Telling You Everything About It) – Episode 13
From founder story to the future, we cover all things brand acquisition today as we add a new business to the 4x400 ecosystem.
+ Special guest, Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective.
May 7, 2020 • 16min
Should We Buy 6x The Inventory We Bought A Month Ago? (Episode 12)
Today on the Ecommerce Playbook Podcast, we talk about one of our brands that’s finding remarkable success in the age of coronavirus, the exact tactics we used to double it’s ad performance, the implications of it on our cash system…
… And why that is absolutely terrifying. Seriously, the implications of it on the rest of our business are straight-up scary.
So (as always), here’s the real numbers, struggles and growth behind our business.
Apr 30, 2020 • 15min
How Much Inventory Should We Buy In A Moment Like This? (Episode 11)
Today we're talking about the challenge of success. In particular, the challenge of figuring out inventory buying vetted against performance.
Apr 23, 2020 • 14min
This Moment Won't Last, Maximize It (Episode 10)
At 4x400 our brands are winning big. And for many brands in the ecommerce space, it’s like Black Friday all over again. This week on the Ecommerce Playbook, Andrew Faris talks about the insanity of the moment we are in right now and has a very simple piece of advice for you: don’t wait, maximize it.
Apr 21, 2020 • 39min
Bonus: What 32,000 Ecommerce Merchants Can Tell Us About Coronavirus (With Jake Cohen from Klaviyo)
Bonus Episode! Featuring Jake Cohen, Director of Product Marketing at Klaviyo.
Apr 16, 2020 • 13min
Why Do We Sell So Much Stuff On Sundays? (Episode 9)
For most of our brands, Sunday’s are drastically outperforming any other day of the week for sales revenue. But, before I make any sweeping generalizations about consumer behavior to come up with my answer as to why – it begins with looking at the numbers and the data.
The first step to solving a problem is understanding the problem.
So on today’s episode of the Ecommerce Playbook, I share the strategies our team is using to break down the question, in search of the answer.
Apr 9, 2020 • 18min
250% Improvement on Facebook Ads: Here's How We Did It (Episode 8)
This one's for all the data nerds. On today's episode, we're getting a little more tactical – sharing the process we use for customer acquisition and how we improved our Facebook ads by 250%.
Plus, we're even sharing the assets we use to do it –
IG ads:
1. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-p0bXojvY_
2. https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QLGWtjxhf
FB ads:
1. https://www.facebook.com/115977923900/posts/10158450367973901
2. https://www.facebook.com/115977923900/posts/10158450368268901
Landing page: https://bambuearth.com/pages/skin-detox-1
... And, last but not least, a discount code for listening: https://bambuearth.com/discount/EcommercePlaybook20
Apr 2, 2020 • 15min
We Are Crushing The Coronavirus (Episode 7)
We went from getting destroyed last week, to flipping the table and having the most profitable week in 4x400 history. On today’s new episode of the Ecommerce Playbook podcast, Andrew Faris is singing a new tune – sharing how his businesses went from getting crushed to crushing it.
Mar 26, 2020 • 14min
The Coronavirus Is Crushing Us (Episode 6)
We don’t always get it right, and things are not always going well for our business.
Now is one of those times for us…
When we started this podcast, we promised a level of transparency around numbers, struggles, and growth.
So, we’re holding ourselves accountable to sharing the struggles – because the truth is, the Coronavirus is crushing us…
Mar 19, 2020 • 15min
Constraints Generate Creativity: Profit and Growth Amidst the Coronavirus (Episode 5)
E-commerce playbook podcast coming back at you again in the midst of all things Coronavirus. I'm trying to figure out what the heck the right thing to do is in the midst of all of this, with sorting out all kinds of new workflows, and all it's a real challenge. So, one of the things I want to say right away is that: it is a fact that constraints generate creativity.
I explore more about what that means for us during this unprecedented time in today's episode.
